Why are MS-1651 barebones<$350?

Well exactly as the title states.. why are MS-1651 barebones so cheap (especially on ebay)? I'm wondering if it's because the newer model with an improved keyboard came out, or if it's because of the myth floating around that MSI was robbed.. either way are these cheap MS-1651s barebones authentic? Are they the same as the ones listed for $550+ dollars on some websites?

 

Very few people are willing to pay $550+ for a barebones, when a complete computer can be had for the same price or less.

There were probably unloaded by someone for cheap because they didn't sell.

 

I see nothing out of order with the barebone I received. The inner box was a "factory issue" MSI Notebook box with all off the expected packaging. It was all fresh with the misc. plastic bags and driver disc and generic "how-to-get-started" stuff. So for the OC barebone MSI-1651, I save about $500 by taking the risk of building it yourself. [That's enough to buy a nice CPU.]

Most businesses double [or more] their cost to purchase a product, to cover a myriad of expenses involved in operating a business. If an individual was to place a volume order, assuming the risks of selling and inventory cost, the cost of tying up money, defects, difficult customers, etc. ; and was to pass along for a reasonable mark up, it could be a win-win.

 

MSI had a large theft of the 1651, 1722, and other models last month from it's LA branch. This has been confirmed with direct conversation to us from the manufacture. Any model selling at this price you can be 99% sure are one of the stolen notebook models.

Any questions or doubts you can contact msi directly and they will confirm this information (626-913-0828). If you have already purchased one the manufacture can confirm for you if it is one of the stolen with the serial number.

As per the manufacture we were asked if this topic had come up again to make this known to the public that most of these selling at such a low cost are stolen notebook models.

There has been no major price drop that would warrant selling these notebooks at this price.

This is also why there "seems" to be a shortage of the optical drives. The drives are currenty being sold 1:1 with the notebooks. If the source of the notebooks does not have the optical available this can be suspect also.

 

edit: still looking for info

 

i don't know what you guys are talking about but i just ordered a 1722 for just $270 on ebay auction and most are being sold for the same price cause of no demand and this one actually does come with 1 year msi true warranty so if it was stolen then no warranty could be there. the seller is also reputed.

 

As Rob stated above units selling at these prices are likely hot units that were part of the recent theft from MSI. I wouldn't be surprised if MSI voided all warranties on the serial #'s that were involved in the theft. This was a huge theft and surely the authorities are aggressively investigating this.

If the price is too good to be true, there is a reason why this is so. (as you see by the pricing many MSI Resellers sell these barebones at)

 

edit: still looking for info

 

The problem with this is that it's not quite cut and clear as it seems. Most of these laptops have already found their ways into homes all over the U.S., and even if you were to trace it back to the eBay seller, they are highly unlikely the thieves, otherwise it would be rather foolish to try to sell these laptops in large quantities. If I have to guess, the thieves simply sold the laptops to a distributor or wholesaler and it pretty much branches out from there.

 

edit: still looking for info

 

The 1651 ID3s are the same way; they're ID2s with red trim. No fancy touch panel.


I've not been able to register my product on their website, simply because the part number on my 1651 isn't on their site.

 

The photo on the msi site is incorrect, they are as you said the same as ID2 with red trim.

The barebone model notebooks are not registered on the msi site, that registration is only for the pre-configured msi models. (GX620, GT627, ETC.)

 

where do we register an MSI barebone notebook then?
their warrenty policy states no limited warranty for barebones.

check this thread too:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=347135&page=4

 

There is no registration for barebone notebooks, any warranty issues you would contact your reseller or msi directly.

 

If the price is too good to be true, then they are for sure stolen. I don't think any manufacturer would provide any kind of warranty because they need to protect their resellers. Always obtain a serial number from the seller to verify with MSI ahead before purchase.

 

HMMMMM very interesting... i just bought on ebay the notebook that is in my signature... i do not have the skills or knowhow yet to build my own so the ebay seller put the config together 4 me...

i did call msi and was told when i get delivery (the 24th or 5th) i can phone them with the serial number... they will warranty the barebone and i have to deal with the builder on the added parts...

if when i phone in the ser # i'm refused warranty i should assume it is a stolen item ??? if so it's gonna hit the fan !!!

funny---but the ebay seller/builder is in city of industry, ca. and can throw a rock and hit msi...

i'll post the developments...

 

Just contact MSI with the serial # and they can confirm for you.

 

If they are stolen how long do we have w/ paypal to file a complaint w/ the seller?
I would imagine that useing the price to determin whether or not there stolen is impossible as any legit sellers wont be able to sell theres when there going for so much cheaper with othr sellers, sellers with really good reputations. kinda glad my rebate check has not arrived yet and I can see how this story plays out before buying. Hope it turns out well for everyone on here!

 

Isn't it within 30 days?
For prices that are too good to be true, like under cost, unreasonable pricing then it's stolen, 99% guaranteed.
I think stolen products are always subject to "special" treatment, so if a stolen product is verified to be stolen then it is also subject to a lawful seizure by law enforcement and a manufacturer may be authorized to do so. Just my two cents.
Does the laws in the US allow this?

 

HELLO KC---CHILLICOTHE HERE... i buy/sell on ebay and have been on there for 5 years... i have more than 1 username (there is no limit) on ebay... in order to keep the fraud level in check ebay recently changed their guidelines... the only option now for payment when listing an item is with paypal... the main reason is because ebay owns paypal===revenue... if the seller is willing to take other forms of payment (check, mo, etc.) they can type that into the listing description which is perfectly fine...

if you look around on any listing (usually located near the window that shows sellers feedback etc.) you will notice "paypal buyer protection" ... there will also be links to click to read abt the buyer protection specifics... one of the buyer protection features is all about a purchased item that is "significantly different than described"... if a buyer feels the purchased item is of less quality than described in the listing the buyer can open a dispute... if ebay feels that the dispute is justified, (hint: 99.9% of the time ebay will side with the consumer) the buyer will get a refund... of course there are hoops to jump through and the refund will take about 30 days...

bottom line: any item that proves to be stolen will qualify for buyer protection... the buyer will be made whole (less the cost to ship the item back to the seller) and get the entitled refund... hope this helps...

under buyer protection with paypal the buyer has 45 days to start a dispute... in the next day or so i will sign for delivery on my notebook (described in my signature)... if when i call msi to register the serial # i am refused registration i will assume it is one of the stolen barebones...

there will be no need for the law to find out and seize the property as i will personally call the law to let them know what's up---and start the dispute with paypal...

NOTAGEEK

 

I have decided to go ahead w/ my build as well. I am going to take the chance. I was going to get the 1722 ID2 but monet is a main concern. I am now looking at either an 1651 ID2 or ID3, or the 1722 ID1. There all about $250, which means I should be able to complete the laptop and be under $500 for everyting.
I also have my Zune up for sale on another website to help ease the costs.


Anyone know why the US MSI site is down?

 

It's probably not really down, as it's generally as slow as molasses....

 

Wow, thank you very much for this back up info. I posted about this about 2 weeks ago and nobody believed me and thought i was just a troll spreading lies.

 

THE DEVELOPMENTS AS THE SAGA CONTINUES !!!

THEFT AT MSI IS NOT A MYTH !!!

i got delivery of my notebook (turnkey) yesterday... i phoned msi with my serial # about an hour ago----yes it comes up as a stolen unit...

they at msi have a crew working on these stolen units and i urge anyone who recently purchased a new msi unit to phone msi and verify that it is not on the "hot list" !!!

i truly do not feel that my ebay seller/builder is involved in the theft and has an established business in the city of industry that has existed for 10 years...

i have msi, coi cal local police, my seller, my local police, and ebay all involved and even though this situation is only just over an hour old i am already jumping through hoops !!!

be warned---this is not a joke !!!

NOTAGEEK

 

Wow! Good to know that somebody is actually doing something about it. So what did MSI say regarding your unit? Are they going ask the seller to refund your money?

It is "possible" that the resellers didn't know about the theft incident when they just heard about the good deals they can get for these MSI barebones.

 

so what happens if you get a stolen unit do you have to give it back

 

so has anyone dared to check their serials yet with msi?

 

edited...........

 

^^^ what i am thinking the same thing. why if true do they continue to sell and why has msi not contacted ebay and told them of the situation and if they did 100% ebay would have pulled every sale on them heck they pull other stuff for simply using a picture from the manufacture they are not supposed to. i dont know..

 

we already went over this heist theory, and MSI told me via the phone there were no known stolen computers...

 

I think a MSI reseller on page 1 confirmed the heist.

 

yea, i guess so...
i must have gotten a dumb rep xD

 

Yes I posted a few days ago, it IS confirmed that there were alot of 1651 and 1722 models stolen.

It has to raise a big red flag when you can purchase a load of notebooks that are supposed to be selling for $500-$650 depending on the model for half that price.

As Justin@XoticPC said the other day in a post just after mine, I am pretty sure also the manufacture will blacklist all the stolen serial number notebooks too.

 

Yea, i asked mt seller for the SN of the one i'm buying, because i don't want to be out of luck for warrenty (that, and don't they take your computer if you call in and has a stolen SN?)

 

rob why then (not questioning you at all here please know that) are they telling everyone that calls there is no such issue. i called and spoke to both sales and tech and both denied it and said this was untrue. and why is there no press or news coverage of something this big i have a freind right in la and he said he has seen nothing at all about this anywhere on the news or in the papers. im just curious. again im in no way questioning you or justin i respect your comments and know you have direct contact. it just seems ridiculous that msi is denying it when people call to ask before actually buying one of these. i called myself and thats why i bought a couple because they told me this was totally untrue. otherwise i would not have if i was told differently.

thanks for your comments on this. i wish they would be honest with people when they call them on this subject especially to a end user like a customer know what i mean?

imo they would just void the warranty on it. there is no way if you simply called asking about it they would be able to take the system from you especially if they didnt even know who you were. there are people who have bought dozens of these off ebay and places and resold them to other people and some of those in sure even resold them to even another person. there is now way they will track them all over the place. they could very well void the warranty on those units though that could for sure be the case if they know which ones were taken

 

yea, good point, because we did have a few people (like myself) call and ask... and there was no press about it, but the PC retailers on here arn't going to lie xD
too confusing!!!

 

oh i agree i am not at all sayin rob or anyone is lying or any one else is. this is just a big mess and some one imo from msi directly should be posting about it on here if it is true. then that would put the hearsay to rest. because they should for sure not be telling consumers one thing and resellers something else. in the long run if this is true there will be a LOT of ticked off people out there and if they did call msi to ask that will for sure give those people a bad vibe about msi.

 

It's very confusing indeed. When I first purchased my barebones I called to check a few random ones just to make sure warranty would be covered on a barebone that I purchased from a non-main distributor and they asked for SN's and responded that they would cover my warranty on the barebones for 1 year well I was actually told I have ~ 300 days of my warranty due to original date of shipment from MSI.

I'm sure the retailers wouldn't lie as well... Its just weird because I have been on the phone with them 3 times and quite a few of my customers asked as well.

If MSI is planning on blacklisting the "stolen" laptops from warranty why would they no go public and future customers know that stolen items are circulating and to be careful of who they buy from.

You would think they would at least do that. Especially when those same future customers contact MSI prior to purchasing to make sure there is no problem.

 

yea, total mess on their part, especially when we had people calling saying (this is what i said) "The 1651 and the 1772 are on ebay for like $350, was there a recent theft at all? or are these totally legitament, because there is a roumer i heard about a theft" and i was told that they should be legit, because there was no theft she knew of or was told of.

 

I am not sure who you spoke with, at first is am sure this was kept quiet due to Law Enforcement investigating the theft. Not all may have been aware of the theft. There are a few other threads here that another user posted the name, phone number and email of the contact at msi to confirm this information. I am not going to post his info again and get him slammed with emails. I am pretty sure all this has been resolved at the manufacture, if you call and contact sales they can confirm the theft and if the serial number of your model is stolen.

I can 99.99% for sure tell you that a call would be a waste of your time to confirm if your chassis is stolen if you paid less than $500-$650 depending on the model. If you look at our site, Xotic, or any other reputable reseller you will see these models have not dropped less than this in price.

 

oh again im not questioning you rob. i just wish they would get the facts straight over there on the phone. i spoke with someone yesterday when i asked. ill ask them again tomm ill try to find that other post to see who to ask for

 

But is is public.......................

Not only me but quite a few other members and resellers have told everyone so.

Every time someone posts the EXACT same response here about the stolen product there is someone who thinks this is some type of conspiracy

How often do you see a manufacture pop into a forum?

This is all recent any perhaps they do plan on a press release, not sure.

If these are still selling legit for $500-$650 and you see them for $350, honestly you have to think "hey something's wrong here"

 

Same, i'm not doubting you guys, I'm just saying that was bad they diddn't alert the phone reps, thus allerting people who called

 

you make some valid points, but the bottom line truth of this matter is that there are a number of illegal msi units going every different direction...

with how fragile the economy is right now put yourself in msi's position for a minute... if you or i call and simply ask "is it true that msi had a theft of many units" should they give you any info ??? if they just say "yep---it's true" how many people will you pass the news on to ??? if 500 people call how much will that then get spread if msi simply answers "yes that is true" ??? if you see where i'm going with this msi could be in lots of trouble financially in a short period of time...

now on the other hand if you or i phone msi and say "i just purchased a msi unit and heard that msi had a large theft---can i give you my serial number" i'm inclined to think they will be more open about this situation...

msi is working closely with ebay on this issue... until the law gets to the root of the problem nothing will be done as drastic as pulling all msi products off of ebay... after all there are allot of legit units being sold too, and people do need to make a living !!!

the 1st thing msi will ask before they talk to you is your name and phone # and they do have caller id...

possession of stolen property is much more severe than worrying about not getting a warranty !!! ebay/paypal have records of all msi sales... you never know if in the future you possibly could get a visit from the law... i covered my fanny when i found out i bought stolen goods by phoning my local police...

i don't read all the forums, but i might be the 1st on here to let you folks know that i got stung... i am certain that i won't be the last !!! the seller is cooperating, but i always have buyer protection and visa for aces in the hole... thanks...

NOTAGEEK

cover your rump---buyer beware---

 

but also dont forget many people bought these off ebay and there is no record of what they bought many paid with money order or picked up from places like craig's list or even ebay sellers the one i asked told me i can pick them up i pay cash and ebay knows nothing. others also offered to sell them to me off ebay at a reduced cost as well again no records that way either. maybe they knew maybe not no one knows for sure but them. i didnt do that myself. im just saying there is no way they will ever track all these units down to the last one hate to say. i do not condone the possesion of anything stolen my point is simply 95% of people that got these will never hear anything about them again unless they need warranty work done to them and they call in with the serial number, it is sad this happended to msi they are a great company and as i said i do not condone this myself. i almost just bought a dozen 1722's from a seller whom which i will call tomm and ask them if they are legit because he did give me serials of some of them

 

Two things:
They are not going to do a CSI super hacker with your phone number if you call them about a stolen notebook. There won't be deputies at the door demanding a notebook, maybe if you're a reseller or someone with anything more than a tenuous connection. Which I guess Zfactor just said

The other thing is a reason that we haven't heard more about this is that it is awful press for a company breaking into a market which relies so heavily on perception. I can't imagine MSI would want to become known as the 'stolen product' company. Consider also that they use smaller resellers for a fair share of their business, and any confusion or doubt puts people like Rob or Xotic or Power Notebooks in a questionable light for most shoppers. People are already reluctant to buying outside of known channels and brands.

I was one of the naysayers, and Occams razor has me skeptical still, but it is pretty disconcerting to hear bad news from the vendors.

 

I read this whole thread.......it is probably the best thread ive read this month..


Now can someone explain HOW these got stolen? This sounds like a staggering number so this had to be an inside job from someone at MSI

 

thats what im saying no way this many can just walk out the doors this seems to be more like truckloads they would have had to move

 

um... I'm not sure if you've seen this documentary The Sopranos? They steal truckloads of stuff all time?

Also, no offense to MSI, but if they'd heisted Sonys the markup would be much higher